title: Case reports: Tantalum debris dispersion during revision of a tibial component for TKA.
abstract: Porous tantalum nonmodular tibial components for TKA were introduced in 1999. We revised three well-fixed tantalum tibial trays. For removal, we used osteotomes and revision oscillating saw blades. Removal of the components was laborious and resulted in generation of abundant tantalum debris that seeded the periarticular soft tissues despite meticulous protection with gauze. The retained metallic debris that is visible on postoperative radiographs has the potential for generation of third-body wear. We alert the orthopaedic community about this phenomenon and recommend minimizing the use of motorized revision instruments for removal of trabecular metal implants.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sanchez Marquez
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Del Sel
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leali
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González Della Valle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D010316:Particle Size; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D013635:Tantalum; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D013635:Tantalum